SAN FRANCISCO — The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend has concluded, and opinions vary wildly; some folks see it as a positive evolution while others deem it a disaster on par with some of the worst televised moments. In this regard, it mirrors every All-Star weekend that has come before it.

However, this year brought notable changes. The league introduced an innovative mini-tournament structure for the All-Star Game, splitting the 24 selected players into three teams of eight, with the fourth team featuring the winner of the Rising Stars contest held on Friday. The OGs, led by MVP Stephen Curry, emerged victorious in this new format, although the presentation received mixed feedback.

Despite its ups and downs, many fans agreed that the competitive spirit in the All-Star Game showed considerable improvement compared to previous years. It’s a step in the right direction. Here’s a look at some highlights and lowlights from the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend.

In a decade, the name you’re likely to remember from this weekend is not Kevin Hart but Mac McClung. The only three-time NBA Dunk Contest champion wowed audiences by executing four of the most imaginative and impressive dunks ever seen in the event’s history.

McClung has hinted that this might be his final contest; however, the NBA should be doing everything in its power to persuade him to return next year, including potentially enhancing his compensation.

Now, you might be wondering how a participant who allegedly cheated in the Skills Challenge can be considered a winner. There are two reasons: first, he was so eager to win this trivial competition that he tried to game the system, and secondly, he was completely transparent about it afterwards.

While many believed that the idea originated from the crafty Chris Paul, Wembanyama openly admitted it was his strategy to throw the basketballs off the rack instead of taking genuine shots — a rare moment of honesty in athletics.

Mark my words: during Wemby’s inaugural playoff run, there will be at least one commentator who references how his attempt to cheat in the Skills Challenge illustrates his fierce competitive drive.

This year also marked the 25th anniversary of Vince Carter’s iconic Dunk Contest performance in the Bay Area, and we witnessed a similar magic on Saturday.

Mac McClung’s extraordinary performance overshadowed Stefhan Castle, who also showcased some impressive dunks. This scenario echoes what happened in 2000 when Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady delivered memorable dunks that would have won most years, but they were eclipsed by Carter’s brilliance.

It’s unfortunate for Castle, who took home Rising Stars MVP honors on Friday, as he’ll likely be overlooked due to McClung’s stellar show.

Losers: Injured All-Stars

The absence of LeBron James from the All-Star Game due to ankle and foot injuries surprised many, as this marked the first time he hasn’t played since 2004.

Lakers’ LeBron James misses first NBA All-Star Game in 21 years with ‘ankle and foot discomfort’

Sam Quinn

As if that weren’t enough, it became apparent during the tournament that Anthony Edwards would not participate at all. He later disclosed that he was dealing with a groin injury.

This is understandable; players often have discomfort at this stage of the season, and it’s wise not to jeopardize their future for an exhibition. However, athletes should disclose significant injuries well in advance to allow for a deserving replacement, such as Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers, to take their place.

Certainly, both James and Edwards hoped they might be fit enough to play but ultimately left fans disappointed, as it was too late for them to be replaced.

It’s rare for Curry to appear in the “loser” column, yet he seemed on track to do so before the weekend’s final game. He should have been the star of festivities in his hometown; instead, he skipped the 3-point contest, and another highly anticipated matchup that had been teased for a year fell through. Curry needed a standout performance in the championship game to salvage his weekend—and of course, he delivered.

After a subdued first game, Curry erupted with a halfcourt pull-up 3-pointer that drew cheers from a crowd that had been largely unresponsive throughout the weekend.

He followed that with several impressive shots, including his signature look-away three from the left wing. His stunning finish earned him All-Star Game MVP honors for the second time in his remarkable career. Though the weekend started slowly for the local hero, it culminated perfectly.

Winner: Jaren

The most heartwarming comeback story of the weekend was not from an All-Star but a young man named Jaren, who faced off against sharpshooter Damian Lillard in a seemingly random competition during the many breaks on Sunday night.

In this contest, orchestrated by social media icon MrBeast, Jaren had to sink a 3-pointer from the halfcourt logo before Lillard made three shots. If he succeeded, he would win $100,000; if not, the sum would be donated to charity. Given Lillard’s prowess, it was a daunting task for Jaren.

Although Jaren came close on several attempts, things looked dire when Lillard made his second shot. Suddenly, however, Jaren banked in a shot, winning the $100K and delighting the crowd at Chase Center.

Adding even more to the moment, Jaren stated he planned to use the money to support his family and save for college.